He was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, where his father was a barber who loved music and inspired Billy to teach himself to play the mandolin at age 3, while suffering a case of the measles. He went on to learn a number of other instruments.
In 1941, Vaughn joined the United States National Guard for what had been planned as a one-year assignment, but when World War II broke out, he was sent abroad till the war ended in 1945. He decided to make music a career when he was discharged from the army at the end of the war, and attended Western Kentucky State College, now known as Western Kentucky University, majoring in music composition. He had apparently learned barbering from his father, because he did some while studying at Western Kentucky to support himself financially, when he was not able to get jobs playing the piano at local night clubs and lounges. While he was a student there, three other students, Jimmy Sacca, Donald McGuire and Seymour Spiegelman, who had formed a vocal trio, The Hilltoppers, recruited Vaughn to play the piano with them. He soon added his voice to theirs, converting the trio to a quartet. As a member of the group, he also wrote their first hit song, Trying, which charted in 1952.
In 1954 he left the group to join Dot Records in Gallatin, Tennessee as music director. He subsequently formed his own orchestra, which had a big hit in that same year with Melody of Love. He went on to have many more hits over the next decade and a half, and based purely on chart successes, was the most successful orchestra leader of all time.
Sweet Georgia Brown
Billy Vaughn Lyrics
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Things are hot here now they say,
There's a new gal in town.
Gals are jealous, there's no doubt.
All the guys just rave about
Sweet, Sweet Georgia Brown.
And ever since she came, the common folks all claim, say;
Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown.
They all sigh and wanna die for Sweet Georgia Brown,
I'll tell you just why, you know I don't lie (not much!).
It's been said she knocks 'em dead when she lands in town.
Since she came why it's a shame how she's cooled 'em down.
Fellas that she can't get must be fellas that she ain't met.
Georgia claimed her, Georgia named her, Sweet Georgia Brown.
All you gals will get the blues,
all you pals will surely lose.
And, there's but one excuse.
Now I've told you who she was,
and I've told you what she does,
Still, give this gal her dues.
This pretty maiden's prayer is answered anywhere
No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown.
Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown.
They all sigh and wanna die for Sweet Georgia Brown,
I'll tell you just why, you know I don't lie (not much!).
All those tips the porter slips to Sweet Georgia Brown
They buy clothes at fashion shows for one dollar down.
Fellas, won'tcha tip your hats. Oh boy, ain't she the cats?
Who's that mister, tain't her sister, It's Sweet Georgia Brown.
The lyrics to Billy Vaughn's song Sweet Georgia Brown tell the story of a new girl in town who has captured the attention and admiration of all the men, causing jealousy among the women. The lyrics convey the message that Sweet Georgia Brown is a beautiful and alluring woman who has captivated the hearts of all those who have met her. The song's lyrics also suggest that Sweet Georgia Brown has a certain charm and grace, despite having "two left feet," and that she is the object of desire for all the men in the town who are willing to spend their hard-earned money to win her favor.
The lyrics of Sweet Georgia Brown are also notable for the way in which they play with language, using inventive rhymes and wordplay to create a rollicking, upbeat tale of love and competition. For example, the line "No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown" uses a clever play on words to suggest that Sweet Georgia Brown is unmatched in terms of her beauty and charm. In addition, the refrain "Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown" similarly employs a clever turn of phrase to suggest that Sweet Georgia Brown's appeal is more than just skin deep.
Overall, the lyrics of Sweet Georgia Brown paint a vivid picture of a woman who is both beautiful and alluring, with a certain charm and grace that sets her apart from the other women in town. Despite her flaws and imperfections, Sweet Georgia Brown is the object of desire for all the men in town, who are willing to do anything to win her heart.
Line by Line Meaning
She just got here yesterday,
Sweet Georgia Brown is a newcomer to the town and has only arrived recently.
Things are hot here now they say,
Rumors say that Sweet Georgia Brown is causing quite a stir in town.
There's a new gal in town.
Sweet Georgia Brown is the new girl in town and everyone is talking about her.
Gals are jealous, there's no doubt.
The women in town are envious of Sweet Georgia Brown due to her beauty and popularity among men.
All the guys just rave about
Men can't stop talking about Sweet Georgia Brown and how amazing she is.
Sweet, Sweet Georgia Brown.
The men are extremely attracted to Sweet Georgia Brown and describe her as sweet.
And ever since she came, the common folks all claim, say;
Since Sweet Georgia Brown arrived, everyone in town claims that she is the most beautiful woman they've ever seen.
No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown.
Sweet Georgia Brown is the most beautiful woman in town and nobody compares to her beauty.
Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown.
Despite her lack of dancing skills, Sweet Georgia Brown is still charming and attractive to everyone around her.
They all sigh and wanna die for Sweet Georgia Brown,
Men are so smitten with Sweet Georgia Brown that they feel like they would die for her.
I'll tell you just why, you know I don't lie (not much!).
The singer insists that he's telling the truth about Sweet Georgia Brown's irresistible appeal to men.
It's been said she knocks 'em dead when she lands in town.
Every time Sweet Georgia Brown comes to town, she captures everyone's attention with her beauty and charm.
Since she came why it's a shame how she's cooled 'em down.
After Sweet Georgia Brown arrived and dazzled everyone with her beauty, it has become boring for men to pursue other women in town.
Fellas that she can't get must be fellas that she ain't met.
The singer thinks that men who aren't attracted to Sweet Georgia Brown must not have met her yet.
Georgia claimed her, Georgia named her, Sweet Georgia Brown.
The people of Georgia are proud of Sweet Georgia Brown and have given her a name that reflects how much they appreciate her.
All you gals will get the blues, all you pals will surely lose.
Women in town will become unhappy and jealous of Sweet Georgia Brown's popularity among men, and will lose their male friends to her.
And, there's but one excuse.
There is only one reason why Sweet Georgia Brown has become the center of attention in town.
Now I've told you who she was, and I've told you what she does, Still, give this gal her dues.
Despite the singer's description of Sweet Georgia Brown, he acknowledges that she deserves recognition for her charm and beauty.
This pretty maiden's prayer is answered anywhere
Sweet Georgia Brown is so beautiful that she doesn't even need to pray for attention, she gets it wherever she goes.
All those tips the porter slips to Sweet Georgia Brown, They buy clothes at fashion shows for one dollar down.
Even the porters at the train station are so smitten with Sweet Georgia Brown that they give her tips, which she uses to buy fashionable clothes at a low price.
Fellas, won'tcha tip your hats. Oh boy, ain't she the cats?
The artist is urging men to show respect and admiration for Sweet Georgia Brown, who he believes is the most attractive woman in town.
Who's that mister, tain't her sister, It's Sweet Georgia Brown.
The artist is highlighting that Sweet Georgia Brown is so stunning that even people who aren't familiar with her often mistake her for someone else.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAX LODERBAUER, PAULA SCHOPF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind